Lord Kilclooney has said his tweet referring to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as a "typical Indian" was a mistake.

The peer sparked a Twitter racism row when he described Leo Varadkar as a "typical Indian" after the Taoiseach's visit to Northern Ireland on Monday.

He was reacting after the BBC reported that DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said Mr Varadkar's visit showed disrespect, and was "outside normal protocol" as local politicians had not been informed about it beforehand.

After facing a barrage of criticism for once again referring to Mr Varadkar's race, he said he was "certainly no racist" and was pointing out how Mr Varadkar had upset unionists more than his predecessors had. He said he did not intend to withdraw the tweet at that time.

However, on Friday the BBC reported he had deleted the tweet and admitted it was a mistake.

Lord Kilclooney admits his "typical Indian" tweet about the Taoiseach was a mistake.

He said he could "understand people reaching the conclusion the tweet was racist".

"And that's why I removed it. I am certainly not racist at all. And that why I am so pleased the indian chairman of our organisation in London thanked for the work I have done for the Indian community."

Lord Kilclooney did not apologise but admitted it was a mistake to make the remark.

"A lot of people have sent messages congratulating me on what I have tweeted. You've got to see both sides of the argument. And when I realise I have made a mistake I remove it."

I am certainly no racist and in particular have an admiration for Indians.a member of the British/Indian APPG only yesterday I had a reply from 10 Downing St asking for a relaxation of visas for Indians. My point was that the PM had upset Unionists more than Irish PMs had!

https://t.co/65na4x5metWhile I engage positively in a SDLP event remembering John Hume, Lord Kilclooney refers to the Taoiseach in what I can only interpret as a racist comment, tweeting "typical Indian" #NotInMyName

Reducing someone to their race denies their humanity & agency and lays prejudice bare. Every generation has to stand against racism and this pound-shop bore should know better by now. https://t.co/xTAiPhdmkd

Given that India is several hundred times the size of Ireland (by population) and far more diverse, it is statistically more likely that there is a typical Irish person than a typical Indian and even that @KilclooneyJohn is it.

Last November Lord Kilclooney found himself heavily criticised referring to Mr Varadkar as "the Indian". He claimed he used the term as shorthand for the Taoiseach as he "couldn't spell his name" and given Twitter's restrictive character limit.

While he said he withdrew the remark for the "upset and misunderstanding caused", the tweet remains on the lord's timeline.

That time the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards dismissed a complaint saying a member's opinion, or the way they express themselves, did not fall within the scope of the code of conduct for the lords.

Simon Coveney is stirring things up . Very dangerous non statesman like role! Clearly hoping to undermine the Indian